An Arctic Cruise Adventure: Polar Bear Country

Arrive in Oslo, where you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Board a charter flight to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard on the main island of Spitsbergen, the sovereign Arctic archipelago of Norway. Nearly two-thirds is covered in spectacular glaciers. After a tour of the town, board ‘Le Boreal.’

Very few people have had the opportunity to view these remote Arctic islands and the polar bears that reside in this remote wilderness. Your captain and expedition crew take advantage of local conditions to determine the day’s best sightseeing, which may include visits to stunning fjords, a polar research station or a 17th-century Dutch whaling station. As you explore along the Arctic sea ice, search for polar bears as they hunt in their true natural habitat.

Cruise along the Arctic ice edge and through the Greenland Sea, as lecturers recap their presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of the Svalbard and prepare you for the world’s largest island: Greenland.

Explore the rarely visited east coast of Greenland and Scoresby Sound, disembarking in the village of Ittoqqortoormiit. Cruise the intricate fjord network and be on the lookout for musk ox and reindeer. We also plan to visit Uunartoq (the “warming island”) discovered in 2005 when Greenland’s glaciers receded. Conditions permitting, take a dip in the hot springs on this “new” island.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea, watching for seabirds and whales from the deck. This evening, gather for the captain’s gala farewell dinner.

Visit Iceland’s Drangajokull Glacier with its sparkling waterfalls and icebergs; the small island of Vigur, home to colonies of puffin and eider; and the village of Isafjordur, where Iceland’s fishing heritage is alive and well.

Round the Sneaefellsnes Peninsula, cruising to scenic Breidafjordur, a habitat for seabirds. You also see the extinct volcano of Snaefellsjokull, setting of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth.

This morning, disembark Le Boreal in Reykjavik as you transfer to the airport for your return flights or enjoy an extended stay in Iceland.

Note: due to the nature of expedition cruising, final itinerary is subject to change due to weather, ice, wildlife and other variable conditions and is at the full discretion of the ships Master and Expedition Leader.

The price of your land program INCLUDES:

ACCOMMODATIONS:
All accommodations as noted in the itinerary.

MEALS AND BEVERAGES:
Meals as specified in the itinerary: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch; D=Dinner.
Coffee, tea, domestic bottled water and soft drinks with meals included in the itinerary. All bar drinks and house wines while on board the ship (excepting premium wines, premium liquors, and champagne). Bottled water is included during sightseeing and in your hotel room in Oslo.

TRANSFERS:
Group arrival transfers will be provided on the scheduled day of arrival as noted in the advertised itinerary. Meet and greet, baggage assistance and guest transfers are provided from airport to hotel on the scheduled day of arrival in Oslo and from ship to airport on scheduled day of departure in Reykjavik.

BAGGAGE HANDLING AND RESTRICTIONS:
Baggage weight restrictions vary by carrier and countries visited. For the Internal (Charter or scheduled) flight between Oslo and Longyearbyen, baggage restrictions will be provided in advance of departure. Checked baggage should not exceed more than 2 pieces per person.

SIGHTSEEING:
All sightseeing as noted in the itinerary, including entrance fees.

GUIDES/LECTURERS/STAFF:
Services of professional, English-speaking local guides on city tours. Services of a professional, English-speaking Expedition Team, including naturalists, lecturers, and Cruise Director on board 'Le Boreal'.

GRATUITIES/TAXES/SERVICE CHARGES:
Hotel taxes and service charges included for all services specified in the itinerary. Gratuities to local city guides, drivers, and all shipboard personnel included.

Other:
Special amenities package including backpack and parka.

ACTIVE ELEMENTS:
Some active elements have been incorporated into this itinerary. To enjoy the program as intended, a minimum level of fitness is required. A&K will require notice if any participant has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to himself or herself, or other members of the program.

A&K reserves the right to decline to accept anyone that it considers unsuitable due to fitness level. A&K also reserves the right to remove from the program, at the participant's own expense, anyone whose condition is such that it could create hazard to himself or herself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of the other passengers on the program. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ANY CLARIFICATION ABOUT A SPECIFIC PROGRAM PLEASE ASK FOR DETAILS.

ITINERARIES:
Accommodation (hotel or vessel) and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances beyond A&K's control. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. A&K also reserves the right to withdraw a program or any part of it, to make such alterations to the itinerary or program inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and to pass on to program members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control.

SPECIAL REQUESTS:
Special requests should be advised at time of booking, such as adjacent or connecting rooms, bedding requests, smoking or non-smoking rooms and special dietary needs. Please note that every effort will be made to secure a special request; however it cannot be guaranteed.

OTHER:
All departures are guaranteed, with some dates subject to a minimum number of passengers to operate.

Should the minimum number of passengers not be met, A&K will offer one of the following options: modify the services of the original program to accommodate a smaller group or offer an alternative program. Should no alternative program be suitable, a full refund of all monies received by A&K will be made.

The price of your program DOES NOT INCLUDE:

AIR TRANSPORTATION:
All international and internal air quotes are subject to change and can carry penalties and fuel surcharges. Flight confirmation is based on availability. Depending upon availability and/or any other circumstances beyond A&K's control that may impact charter flight capacity or availability, comparable scheduled air service may be substituted at the company's full discretion. PLEASE NOTE THAT CERTAIN AIRFARES ARE SUBJECT TO A SERVICE FEE. Air reservations cannot be confirmed until a passport copy has been received by A&K.

Internal Air:
OSLO/LONGYEARBYEN

International Air:
International airfares are not included in your program price. Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC has special agreements with many carriers and can offer quotations from any gateway. Please ask A&K about our special fares.

PERSONAL EXPENSES:
Passenger Travel Protection Program; international airfares; costs of obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes unless indicated; excess baggage charges; gratuities to your A&K Tour Director; meals, beverages and sightseeing not included in the itinerary; premium wines, liquors, and champagnes on board 'Le Boreal'; room service in hotels; personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability).

Additional expenses incurred due to a change, delay or cancellation of any flight will be the responsibility of the client. If this occurs, Abercrombie & Kent's correspondent company will do all possible to assist clients in boarding or finding alternative arrangements. It must be stressed that this is done as a courtesy to clients and Abercrombie & Kent cannot be held responsible for denied boarding, nor for the additional costs thus incurred, nor for monies not recovered for missed land arrangements due to airline delays.

INSURANCE:
A&K's Passenger Travel Protection Plan which provides cancellation coverage, medical coverage and protection against lost or damaged luggage, is strongly recommended.

OTHER:
Transfers to meet flights on days other than those specified earlier in this document. Please refer to Transfers under INCLUDES section. (Note: non-included transfers can be purchased through A&K or under your own arrangements.)

BOOKING CONDITIONS:

PAYMENT:
Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made within 90 days prior to departure, the entire program price must be paid at time of confirmation.

CANCELLATION:
In the event of written cancellation, the following forfeiture of program price will be assessed based on the number of days prior to program departure that the cancellation was received.

90 days or more….. $500 per person per program
89-60 days….. 20% of the program price
59-45 days….. 50% of the program price
44 days or less….. 100% of the program price

Extra Services:
Cancellation charges for extra services are also based on the number of days prior to the service that the cancellation was received:

31 days or more….. full refund
30-15 days….. 50% of the price
14 days or less….. 100% of the price

Internal Air
100% cancellation charge if cancellation is received 89 days or less.

OTHER:
Hotel, cruise accommodations, and sightseeing are all subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Cruise itineraries are subject to change at the discretion of A&K, those in command of the vessel, and government regulations based on operational and other considerations, including weather and water levels. Every effort will be made to operate as planned.

PRICES AND ARRANGEMENTS:
Quoted program prices include planning, handling and operational charges, and are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of December, 2011. A&K reserves the right to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, fuel surcharges and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign currency markets. A&K is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any escorted program.

Departures are guaranteed, with some dates being subject to a minimum number of passengers to operate. Should the minimum number of passengers not be met, A&K will offer one of the following options: modify the services of the original program to accommodate a smaller group or offer an alternative program. Should no alternative program be suitable, a full refund of all monies paid to A&K will be made. Modification of program content to accommodate a smaller group size will not affect published program price.

ABERCROMBIE & KENT USA, LLC reserves the right to withdraw a program or any part of it, to make such alterations in the itinerary or with program inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable and to pass on to program members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control.

LIMITS ON ABERCROMBIE & KENT'S RESPONSIBILITY:
Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents and assigns (collectively A&K), does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your program. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers (including from time to time other affiliated Abercrombie & Kent companies). All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result A&K is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third person.

In addition and without limitation, A&K is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time.

There are many inherent risks in adventure travel of the type involved here, which can lead to illness, injury, or even death. These risks are increased by the fact that these programs take place in remote locations, far from medical facilities. Passenger assumes all such risks associated with participating in this program.

Travel Advisories and Warnings: It is the responsibility of The Traveller to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U. S. State Department's travel website at www.travel.state.gov/ or by phone at 1-888-407- 4747. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the program, should The Traveller still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, The Traveller assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.

Arbitration Agreement: Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions, to the Limits on Abercrombie & Kent's Responsibility clause, to the brochure, to any information relating in any way to the program, to the program itself, or to any products or services related to the program, shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that (a) in lieu of a personal appearance at arbitration, the arbitration may be conducted by telephonic means, (b) arbitration is the exclusive forum for dispute resolution (no court actions), and (c) except as otherwise provided by statute, each party shall bear its own costs and expenses and an equal share of the arbitrator and administrative fees.

Travellers Representations: The Traveller represents that neither he nor she nor anyone traveling with him or her has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to himself or herself or other members of the program. A&K reserves the right to decline to accept anyone on a program. A&K reserves the right to remove from the program, at his or her sole expense, anyone whose condition is such that he or she could create a hazard to himself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the program.

ANY PAYMENT TO ABERCROMBIE & KENT CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN AND IN MORE SPECIFIC PRE-DEPARTURE PASSENGER DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING THE PERSONAL INFORMATION FORM.

Abercrombie & Kent accepts all major credit cards.

© 2009 Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC
Spitsbergen-Le Boreal- 12/20/11 je

Complimentary Passenger Travel Protection Insurance

Complimentary Passenger Travel Protection Insurance on Select Egypt Journeys

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• Egypt Unveiled
  November 3, 17, December 1, 2011 and all January - May 2012 departures
• Jordan and Egypt: Sands of Time
  October 7, 2011 and all January - April 2012 departures
• Images of Egypt & Kenya
  February 28, 2012
• Pharaohs and Pyramids
  All January - March 2012 departures
• Splendors of the Nile
  March 19, 2012

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